NEW YORK – Ernie Banks said, “Let’s play two.”
Baseball players may not want to play nine innings twice in one day during this delayed pandemic season.
While the Cleveland Indians swept the Chicago White Sox in the season’s first double title on Tuesday, union chief Tony Clark called Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem and said players could consider shortening the twin bills. this year.
The players’ association is surveying members and could propose two games of seven innings for a double game, or nine innings for the first game and seven for the night cup.
A source confirmed to ESPN that Major League Baseball is reviewing opinions between owners and general managers, and league staff awaits a decision on Saturday to make a change or leave the rules as they are.
Philadelphia and Toronto are slated for a double game on Saturday when the Phillies resume play after a five-day layoff. The free time was caused by waiting to make sure that no player or staff was infected during games against the Miami Marlins last weekend.
Phillies general Matt Klentak said seven-inning games are possible for the twin bill.
“I like nine and nine, personally,” Yankees reliever Adam Ottavino said Wednesday. “I don’t want to be sidelined from the game, once we go to seven-inning games, slippery slope there.”
The Official Baseball Rules allow minor leagues to adopt a rule that provides one or both games of a double game in seven innings. NCAA rules allow for options of two nine-inning games, one seven, and one nine or two sevens.
The union poll was first reported by The Athletic.
“Right now, I don’t think it’s necessary based on how it’s been organized this season, ” said Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon.” If the double heads accumulated for any reason, I would like to have it in a contingency plan. “
Given the modern use of pitchers, Maddon said the shortened game would be the equivalent of starting games in the third inning. He could bring relievers earlier.
“The sixth inning, the fifth inning play differently,” he said.
“You get to that ninth inning much earlier. The sixth inning, the fifth inning play differently depending on [when] the game [is] it’s supposed to end, ” he said.
“You just speed up what you’re doing, just like we’re doing with the season. So I get it from a convenience perspective, if need be … … I’m up to something right now. I’m not going to talk Too bad of any kind of suggestion right now that people think will help us get through the season to make it to the playoffs and wrap them up, “he said.
MLB has already adopted a downsizing rule for 2020: Each half of each additional inning begins with a runner at second base.
There were five extra inning games during the first six days of the season. Four ended in 10 innings and one in 11.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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